Abstract:

The current American food system is defined by rising food prices, industrial production practices, immense transportation and energy costs, and lack of education about food choices. Many communities directly impacted are found in urban environments, where lack of access to healthy food choices is compounded by environmental factors that limit safe opportunities to exercise. There have been attempts to solve these problems including educational programs, and the construction of urban agricultural farms, greenways, and trail systems. However, a comprehensive review of how these projects can be integrated within a neighborhood and park context has not been completed. This creative project centered on this topic, and includes study of emerging ideas around urban park design and the role of community design, urban agriculture, and community building in addressing health concerns.
Methods for this project included interviews of administrative personnel from health and parks organizations, content analysis of food related videos, literature on hunger, food, and park design, and outdoor educational settings was reviewed, and an assessment of park use patterns was undertaken. Traditional site design methods were also employed.
Findings from the research phase were used to develop design concepts for a community park and surrounding area for the Windsor Village neighborhood at the junction of I-465 and I-70 East in Indianapolis. Outcomes include an analysis of connections between food sources, consumers, health care facilities, schools and community centers in this area of Indianapolis, and conceptual designs for a community park and the surrounding neighborhood.